This blog is dedicated to sharing the concept that our hands are essential to learning- that we engage the world and its wonders, sensing and creating primarily through the agency of our hands. We abandon our children to education in boredom and intellectual escapism by failing to engage their hands in learning and making.

Sunday, August 26, 2007

In 1865, my great grandmother, as a young woman eleven years old came over from Norway with her family. The times have changed. Today we moved my daughter into her dorm room at Columbia University. While the small tine or bent wood Norwegian box shown above held all my great grandmother's most treasured possessions, It took 3 of us, a mini-van and a huge college staff to carry the things for my daughter's room. Today, there were thousands of freshmen all over Manhattan with their parents filling bags and bags with essential last minute shopping.

My grandmother's box offers an interesting comparison. You decide whether it means one thing or another. I am too tired from a long day up and down stairs and through the streets of New York City to think about it.

About Me

I have been a self-employed woodworker in Eureka Springs, Arkansas since 1976. I live with my wife Jean on a wooded hillside overlooking our beautiful historic community.
In addition to work in my wood shop, I teach children at the Clear Spring School in a program called "The Wisdom of the Hands." My 10th book, Tiny Boxes by Taunton Press in November 2016. I also write for Fine Woodworking and other woodworking magazines.
My resume can be downloaded at
www.dougstowe.com/resume.doc